When a spouse leaves the church...temple sealing question

and the couple was sealed, what happens to that sealing? What about the children?

My H and I will be going through divorce procedings in January (it's been a long time coming and I'm ready), and it seems his church options are either remove his name from the records, or face a council and most likely be ex'd.

So when that happens, is that like a temple divorce? Will I be able to marry in the temple again to a worthy man in the future without needing permission from the 1st Presidency? What about my kids? Will they still be sealed to me? It just seems sad that I would be denied my children in the next life (should something happen to us, heaven forbid) because of H's actions.

Comments (30)

FYI, there are no divorces in the temple. Instead, there are sealing cancellations, which are rare and must be approved by the President of the Church. And, once a person goes to be married to a new spouse, they must receive a sealing "clearance" to do so in the temple.

This little blurb explains more, and also discusses what happens to the children after a sealing is cancelled. Scroll down to "What happens when a couple gets a temple divorce?"

Even if your ex-husband is excommunicated or resigned, the church will ask for his input or consent before the cancellation is granted.

I really don't believe this is true. The sealing is gone if you are excommunicated, you would have no say in the matter. I would be appalled if a priesthood leader required my mom to have permission from my dad who broke his covenants and abandoned our family spiritually and physically. Someone who is excommunicated loses everything. All ordinances are void. If they ever return to the church, they must redo everything- baptism, preisthood ordination, and temple ordinances.

Sorry but it is true. BUT it is "input" NOT "permission". He will need to know about it. He doesn't even have to respond, but the church leaders will do their best to contact him. Speaking from family experience here....

Sorry but it is true. BUT it is "input" NOT "permission". He will need to know about it. He doesn't even have to respond, but the church leaders will do their best to contact him. Speaking from family experience here....

So it sounds like we're in agreement! Contacting someone is much different from asking input or permission. I was just saying that his permission would not be a prerequisite to a new sealing because he is no longer sealed, the sealing is cancelled upon ex-communication. Personally I think they shouldn't need to contact him at all, unless it were about his children being sealed to someone else.

and that Q&A that Jenna linked says how children are still sealed to their birth parents when born in the covenant and MAY NOT be sealed as a child to a parent to anyone else NO MATTER WHAT

Where does it say "No matter what?"

When someone is excommunicated, it changes the "normal" way of doing things. It's the exception to the "rules". My father is excommunicated and my mother is remarried civilly. I am only sealed to my mother, NOT my father. He has lost all of those blessings.

I don't mean to be argumentative on this thread, this is just something that I have (understandably?) strong feelings about. I think I need to step away!

I think that this question that is one that can only be answered by church leaders (Bishop, Stake Pres. Etc) No offense to anyone but if they dont know the answer they can find someone who can (take it up the ladder til you get the proper instructions). I think that is the only way to find out what is true. And also to pray, Your Heavenly Father will always lead you to the right answer or bring you peace til you do.